Tags

The Democratic Speaker of the state House of Representatives has come out against Gov. Jack Markell's plan to raise Delaware's gas tax by 10 cents, to 33 cents a gallon, to pay for new roadway spending.

Speaker Pete Schwartzkopf, D-Rehoboth, is the latest Democrat to oppose Markell's plan, which would authorize new taxes and borrowing to pay for $500 million in transportation improvements over the next five years.

House Majority Leader Valerie Longhurst has already expressed opposition to the gas tax hike, joining lawmakers in both parties, many of whom face re-election in November and want to avoid a vote on higher taxes.

UPDATE: Schwartzkopf said his vote will reflect his district, where residents currently oppose any gas tax increase. "Today they're a no vote," Schwartzkopf said. "It doesn't mean they'll be a no vote in a month." The speaker said lawmakers supporting the proposal have to "educate the public" on the benefits of raising the gas tax to pay for necessary road and bridge improvements.

Markell's proposal would also automatically trigger additional increases in the gas tax to keep pace with inflation.

Schwartzkopf told The News Journal this week the indexing proposal would make the gas tax hike an even tougher sell in Legislative Hall. "We have a tough road with the 10-cent hike," Schwartzkopf said. "I don't know the indexing makes it any easier. It does make it harder."

Markell has warned lawmakers that voting no means dramatically reduced roads spending in their districts and across the state. "It would be ridiculous when states around us are making these kinds of investments that are important for economic development and safety we're not making them," Markell said in remarks to the Council on Transportation this week.

But that may be little comfort for lawmakers facing re-election in November, who are hearing opposition to higher taxes from residents in their districts.

Schwartzkopf told WDEL that he needs a commitment from Markell to make safety improvements along Del. 1 in his beach district to consider voting for the gas hike. "Before they'd ever get my yes vote, there better be a commitment to do Route 1," he said.